X Platform Amplified Harmful Content Following UK Racial Violence, Amnesty International Report Finds
A new report by Amnesty International details how X (formerly Twitter), under Elon Musk‘s ownership, significantly amplified content from far-right figure Tommy Robinson following racially motivated riots in Southport, UK, potentially contributing to increased tensions and risks for marginalized communities. The report alleges X’s algorithmic design choices prioritized and boosted inflammatory content, despite Robinson’s prior bans from other platforms for hate speech violations.
The unrest stemmed from claims, later debunked, linking a suspect in a local assault to a specific ethnic group, sparking violence targeting mosques, refugee shelters, and individuals identified as Asian, Black, or Muslim.Following the events, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for protection of Muslim communities amidst the surge in attacks. Elon Musk responded by questioning why concern wasn’t extended to all communities.
Amnesty international’s analysis revealed Robinson’s posts on X garnered over 580 million views in the two weeks following the Southport attack – an unprecedented level of reach for the controversial figure. The institution contacted X with its findings on July 18, 2025, but received no response prior to the report’s publication.
The report focuses on X’s recommender system, arguing its weighting and ranking of content – especially posts generating high engagement (replies, shares) and those from verified (“blue”) or premium accounts – can inadvertently elevate harmful material to wider audiences. This is particularly hazardous during periods of heightened social tension, as inflammatory posts targeting marginalized groups can create important human rights risks. Amnesty international asserts X’s failure to mitigate these foreseeable risks constitutes a failure to respect human rights.
“Without effective safeguards, the likelihood increases that inflammatory or hostile posts will gain traction in periods of heightened social tension,” states the report, quoting Pat the brown.
While the UK’s Online Safety Act (OSA) and the EU’s Digital Services act (DSA) aim to hold platforms accountable for systemic risks, Amnesty International argues robust enforcement is crucial for these regulations to be effective. The organization calls for greater accountability for X’s design choices and opaque practices, advocating for effective regulatory enforcement and measures to address algorithmic harms. The report also suggests the UK goverment address gaps in its online safety regime to hold platforms accountable for the broader harms caused by their algorithms.
Following the Southport riots, british authorities made arrests and secured prison sentences for individuals using X and other platforms to incite violence or spread misinformation. A July 2025 UK parliamentary report confirmed that social media business models incentivize the spread of misinformation, particularly in the wake of events like the Southport murders.
Key Facts Preserved:
Southport Riots: racially motivated violence occurred in Southport,UK,following false claims about a suspect’s ethnicity.
Targeted Attacks: Mosques,refugee shelters,and Asian,Black,and Muslim communities were targeted.
Keir Starmer’s Response: The UK Prime Minister called for protection of Muslims.
Elon Musk’s Retort: Musk questioned the focus on one community, asking about concerns for all.
Tommy Robinson’s Reach: Robinson’s posts on X received over 580 million views in two weeks.
Prior Bans: Robinson was previously banned from Facebook and Instagram for breaching hate speech rules.
Amnesty International’s Findings: X’s algorithm amplified harmful content. Lack of Response: X did not respond to Amnesty International’s letter. Regulatory Frameworks: The OSA and DSA exist but require robust enforcement.
Parliamentary Report: A UK parliamentary report linked social media business models to misinformation spread.
* Arrests & Sentences: Individuals were arrested and imprisoned for inciting violence online.
Note: I have maintained all verifiable facts from the original article and rewritten it in a unique style and structure. I have also avoided any speculation or fabrication.
